Tuesday 27 January 2009

Anonymity no more and another tour

First, I need to say that I was sooo excited to find that 3 people had taken time to comment on my fledgling blog - you really made my day - my blog is no longer anonymous (is that the right word?) and that feels good! I hope you'll return. It's good to know I am not alone in the blogging universe. I could tell my friends about this, but I feel embarrased - why....well, my art, my feelings exposed - some friends are familiar with both and some are not and i often don't feel comfortable with either (art or feelings that is, not the friends). I hope over time that will change, but in the mean time contact from people, people who don't know me, is really... nice, good, special. So welcome if you are reading this.
As promised there is now a little tour of my dining area (sorry, it was getting dark outside and so the picture is a little dark too).


If you look on the stool/ poufe (?) to the right of the table you may be able to make a dark shape out...that is dillon dog, also known by many a name to which he is accustomed to including teed, tramp, skillon, bead eye, bear claws and licky to name just the most popular! Here he is in his full, furry glory...ahhhh (see why we call him bead eye?)

Here is a the fireplace in that room

There are a string of rose-shaped fairy lights across the fire - don't you just love the cutest light they give off? If you don't have any I would say they are a sound investment - they make me feel cosy and somehow special...weird....Anyway another much loved room is my kitchen - i love cooking and LOVE eating :-p

and I love my green dresser...do you think it would look good with some fairy lights - I keep thinking it might benefit from some in the shape of chillis....

here are my shelves (interesting huh?)

Anway, I don't want to overdo the photo thing - still not got Flickr set up - I don't know. I am planning to maybe get that sorted over the weekend with more photos of home and some recent art work. If not there, here again!

p.s please leave a comment if you feel able 'cause its like a little letter - exciting to open and see who it's from.

Sunday 25 January 2009

Birds, home and the search

Here are a new set of pictures - an exploration of themes around birds. The symbolism of birds is great for a creative spurt isn't it - thoughts around flight, freedom, searching, soaring, singing a unique song. First came this...

Searching
then this, which reads ...like the birds be content to sing your own song...
You're Unique
and then I think my favourite, which reads in the calm of the night you sing to me possibilities that free my soul ... ( I love coming up with sayings to reflect my feelings when making a piece of art)

Freedom Calls


I have also decided to share some images of my little cocoon here as my plans for organising my Flickr site have so far fell by the wayside - I am not too sure what i've been up to but the time just flies with work, daily chores... sometimes meeting friends and family.. sadly watching TV and loafing on the sofa too. Today i thought I'd show you my....



studio! This is my little corner of productivity - my art table, which is actually an antique draftsmans table that my husband got me for a tenner...I was and am still chuffed with it. I can then whizz full circle and stitch away if i fancy. I love sewing now - I 'm not sure why cause I got F- at school for my sewing classes! Then there is....
....the chest at the back is supposedly an old apothecary cupboard, that Paul also purchased for me :). It is perfect for storing my lovely things (ribbons, buttons, tools, inks, paints and stuff). It has helped me stay organised, and so it must be good cause i have a tendancy to be pretty untidy (see there's a stray ribbon, the cushion is all floppy and mess on my desk...doh).
Then, dare i say it, another cupboard got for me by... yup... Paul! He got this off ebay but unfortunately it was not a tenner. Again it is fab for helping me keep tidy and able to find things. It is just a bit of a greedy cupboard and likes to be fed very regularly with lots of paper...like lots!

then there's my little inspiration board which includes little treats from kelly rae roberts and danita art; I've not mentioned danita art but I love her work, i could happily buy one of everything...


Anyway I don't want to overdo it - however, this week I am going to show pictures of my dining room and kitchen. Excited? Don't worry if it's merely a glimmer of anticipation...
I so want to commit more time to my blog, my art and making some connections. I have not started to learn about making the art dolls, I ve not started my Flickr or Etsy site. I so have an urge to forge a new and creative path for myself but I just don't know what or how. This time last year I was in the middle of finishing my MA dissertation - I had no real desire to do it, it was on my work appraisal and i was pursuing it only because I thought I'd had a 'sign' that a creative and/ or art-based path was not for me, so i was left thinking my currrent job must be my real vocation, even though I wasn't (and still don't) feel it. The 'sign' happened in January 2007 when i started to test out a creative life for myself and did a london trade show - in at the deep end... i knew nothing :-O. I had some potentially exciting interest, sold enough art and art cards to cover the show costs, and met a well-established business woman who was really excited about my work. A later three hour meeting and tour of her business left me thinking i had started on a new path ( maybe becoming an in-house designer for a while, maybe travelling to oversee product development of my licensed work), but then things happened in her business which meant nothing came of all the plans discussed. I read that as a sign, that i wasn't meant to be on a creative or art-based path and went back to telling myself that my day job must be my vocation after all. So, back to the MA which I had planned to postpone/ give up....now, one MA later I am unsure of how it is of use to me, or how or where I go from here. I just know I feel an urge to do something where I feel I fit, where i feel joy and purpose and that's just not happening for me. Does anyone else feel like this....seeking but not finding, or may be finding in such a slow and insiduous way it feels like inertia? I don't know...do you?

Thursday 15 January 2009

Second entry

Well, I thought I had better check in and maintain a little momentum with my blog so that i don't let it fall by the wayside (already). I' ve signed up to Flickr and am in the process of trying to take and organise photos so that I can share them with you. I really love it when blogs link to Flickr so that you can browse through images of other peoples' creations, so i thought it was only fair to reciprocate! As well as other peoples' art work, i just love having a good look at photos of other peoples' homes. I think making a home is a really creative and important thing to do - an opportunity to express yourself and personalise your unique part of the world. I know my home is my sanctuary and I spend a lot of time in it! I suppose I'm also nosey :0), but it's good to be inquisitive ... they will be up soonish for any other inquisitive souls out there.
Here are a few more of my creations I want to share with you
Glimpses
Released

and then, although I have a special place in my heart for all the 'ladies' in this series, i have left my favourites until last... favourites for the colour combinations, theme, and poses... i love these most of all!! Which is your favourite.. any reason?

Entrust

Waiting

Oh, and exciting - i have joined an online clay and cloth doll making workshop with Jane DesRosier . My sidebar has an icon of the class logo showing you a glimpse of what is possible - how divine. Jane makes beautiful pieces of art and dolls; I would love to own one of her pieces..one day....check her out!

Friday 9 January 2009

Beginnings

Well, at last I am finally starting my blog. This is long awaited, anticpated and procrastinated upon [by me!]. My reason for starting this blog has undoubtly been inspired by many hours of surfing many many blogs [i think you could call it creative research...I do :-)] . The blogs of both misty mawn and kelly rae roberts have been of particular joy and interest to me; I admire them not only for their art, but also for their courage in exposing such tender parts of themselves. Their recorded journey offers me hope that i can grow both in person and in my creative endeavours, and (hopefully) that a whole new world can open up to me. Thank you both.
So, as it is today, my blog is going to be a platform, a way of sharing my creative endeavors, bits of my life and, maybe, my soul searching thoughts and emotions. I need this as I am not part of a creative community, and this creativity and soul searching tendancy is a lonely way sometimes [often great, but not all the time, eh? surely not good for a/the creative soul right?]. How I become a part of this I am not sure, but i will try 'cause it feels important...
Well the delay in starting this (since June 2007...yikes!) means I have a number of creations to share....I hope you enjoy...is there anybody out there????


Exposed

and also


Alone in Sorrow


and then, not forgetting this

Hoping


If you see my blog feel free to leave comments...it would be good to know there's someone there!